JPH07263738A - Thin-film solar cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a solar cell module to be easily, electrically connected without carrying out a soldering or a caulking operation where an equipment or articles are required. CONSTITUTION:A window hole 8 or a cutout is provided adjacent to the periphery of a moistureproof film 5 which covers both the sides of a module to make the face of the electrode terminal of the module exposed, and a U-shaped connector 9 and equipped with an internal spring terminal piece 92 which comes into contact with the exposed face of the window hole 8 is fitted to the module in a freely detachable manner.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thin film solar cell module having protective films laminated on both sides.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to obtain a large output from a thin-film solar cell, a plurality of unit solar cells are modularized and then a plurality of modules are interconnected. Therefore, each module is provided with a connection structure. FIG. 2 shows such a connection structure. Generally, in a solar cell module, after forming a first electrode layer 21 on one surface of an insulating substrate 1 made of glass or a plastic film, an amorphous semiconductor layer 3 and a transparent second electrode layer 22 are laminated, and a unit is formed on the other surface. It has a structure in which a third electrode layer 23 used for connection between solar cells is provided, and in order to protect these, a moisture-proof film 5 for protection is laminated on both sides of the solar cell via an adhesive resin 4 to form a module. To be done. For connection between the modules of this solar cell, the lead electrode terminals 61 and 62 are taken out from the laminated end of the moisture-proof film through the resin 4 and the lead electrode terminals 71 and 72 for energization are soldered or mechanically caulked. And so on.

[0003]

By the way, the connection by such a conventional method is performed by taking out the lead electrode terminal 6
During the connection work between the lead wire terminals 1, 62 and the current-carrying lead electrode terminals 71, 72, for example, in the soldering work, there is a problem that a piece of solder drops onto the solar cell module and burns the moisture-proof film 5. During the work, there was a problem that the lead terminal was bent or damaged. In addition, a power outlet, a soldering iron and solder are required for the soldering work, and a caulking tool is required for the caulking work.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a thin-film solar cell module which can be easily connected to a current-carrying conductor.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in a thin film solar cell module in which a plurality of unit solar cells are connected to each other and sandwiched between two protective films, a peripheral portion It is assumed that the connection body electrically connected to the electrode terminal surface exposed in the vicinity can be detachably fitted. It is preferable that the connection body includes an insulator having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a spring-like terminal piece fixed to the inner surface thereof, connected to a conductor penetrating the insulator, and press-fittable to the electrode terminal surface. The electrode terminal surface may be exposed at the removed portion of the protective film, and the exposed portion of the electrode terminal surface may be covered with a reinforcing body made of a conductive metal.

[0006]

Since the electrical connection work is completed only by fitting the connection body connected to the external current-carrying conductor to the peripheral portion,
Connection work can be done very easily with one touch. Therefore, there is no need to prepare work for connection. In the module, the electrode terminal surface may be exposed by removing a part of the protective film at the peripheral portion, and it is not necessary to pull out the take-out lead. Further, since the connecting body is detachable, the solar cell module can be easily replaced.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The structure of the power generation part of the thin-film solar cell of the embodiment of the present invention is the same as in the case of FIG. As the insulating substrate 1, a polyimide (manufactured by Toray Dupont, trade name Kapton) film is used, and the first electrode layer 21, p made of metal is formed on the surface side.
-Amorphous semiconductor layer 3 having an in junction, ITO
The second electrode layer 22 made of metal was laminated, the third electrode layer 23 made of metal was formed on the back surface side, and the third electrode layer 23 was connected to the first electrode layer 21 through the through hole of the substrate 1. Further, a film of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) (ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer) (manufactured by Sankyo Polychemical Co., Ltd., trade name Evaflex) to be used as the adhesive resin 4 is laminated on both sides, and a moisture-proof film 5 for protection is placed thereon. Was covered with a film of surface-treated polycrotolufluoroethylene (PCTFE) (manufactured by Daikin, trade name: Daiflon), and laminated under heat and pressure at a temperature of 130 ° C. for 10 minutes. In this case, a window hole was opened in a part of the EVA film and the PCTFE film on the one surface side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a window hole 8 is formed near the periphery of the thin film solar cell module formed as a result.
The second electrode layer 22 is exposed through. To connect this exposed electrode layer 22 to the terminal surface, a connector (connector) 9 as shown in FIG. 1 (b) is used. This connector 9 comprises an insulating main body 91 made of plastic and having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a spring-like conductive terminal piece 92 attached to the inner surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the lead wire 10 penetrating the connector body 91 is connected to the terminal piece 92.

To connect the thin-film solar cell module and the connector 9, the second electrode layer 22 and the terminal piece 92 are electrically connected only by fitting the connector body 91 to the edge of the module. There is. That is, when the peripheral portion of the solar cell module is fitted between the U-shaped connector body 91, the terminal piece 92 is pressed and fixed to the exposed surface of the second electrode layer 22 by the elasticity of the spring, and at the same time, the terminal piece 92 and the first The two-electrode layer 22 can be electrically connected.

Similarly, a window hole is opened in the protective film 5 on the back surface side, the terminal piece 92 of another connector 9 is pressure-contacted to the exposed terminal surface of the third electrode layer 23, and the first electrode is passed through the third electrode layer 23. The electrode layer 21 and the external lead wire are connected. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. In this case, a cutout 8 is formed at the edge of the moisture-proof film 5.
1 was provided and the second electrode layer 22 was exposed. By fitting the connector into the notch, connection to the module is possible as well.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, before laminating the moisture-proof film 5, the portion of the electrode surface below the window hole 8 or the notch 81 is made of copper having a size slightly larger than the exposed area. It is covered with a foil 11 of a conductive metal such as nickel or aluminum and then laminated. This allows
Even when the adhesion between the electrode layers 22 and 23 is poor, the exposed portions do not peel off. In addition, the exposed portion has strength to withstand friction or damage due to attachment / detachment of the connector 9. The metal foil 11 for reinforcement may be attached by a method such as adhering to the moisture-proof film 5 after lamination.

Since the exposed portions of the electrode layers 22 and 23 in the window 8 or the notch 81 have a small area, it is unlikely that a finger or the like touches the electrodes during handling. There is no need to worry about electric shock and the safety of module mounting work can be secured. After the thin-film solar cell modules of the above examples were mounted on the roof via roofing, the modules were connected by lead wires with connectors 9 on both sides, and as a result, defects such as breakage were not seen, and the connections were made. It was also easy with one touch.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the electrode terminal surface is exposed in the vicinity of the edge portion of the thin-film solar cell module, and the connecting body for electrical connection by pressure contact of the spring-like terminal piece is detachably fitted thereto. By doing so, not only can you connect and disconnect freely, you can easily and reliably connect with one touch without the need for work preparation, there is no fear of electric shock, and you can connect the conductor to the electrode of the solar cell module. Since it is not necessary to pull it out to the outside, excellent effects such as bending and breakage of the electrode can be expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B show a thin-film solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view near a peripheral portion thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a conventional thin film solar cell

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a peripheral portion of a thin-film solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view near a peripheral portion of a thin film solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a peripheral portion of a thin-film solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insulating substrate 21 1st electrode layer 22 2nd electrode layer 3 Amorphous semiconductor layer 4 Adhesive resin 5 Moisture-proof film 8 Window hole 81 Notch 9 Connector 91 Insulating connector main body 92 Spring type terminal piece 11 Metal foil

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of unit solar cells are connected to each other.
In what is sandwiched between sheets of protective film,
A thin film solar cell module in which a connecting body electrically connected to an electrode terminal surface exposed in the vicinity of a peripheral portion can be detachably fitted. 2. The connecting body comprises an insulator having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a spring-like terminal piece fixed to the inner surface thereof, connected to a conductor penetrating the insulator, and press-fittable to the electrode terminal surface. Item 3. A thin-film solar cell module according to item 1. 3. The thin-film solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminal surface is exposed at the removed portion of the protective film. 4. The thin-film solar cell module according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the exposed portion of the electrode terminal surface is covered with a reinforcement made of a conductive metal.